PJB-2025-57
MULTISTAGE SCREENING OF TOMATO GERMPLASM FOR SALT STRESS TOLERANCE USING MORPHOLOGICAL AND IONIC TRAITS
Noreen faima
Abstract
Soil salinity is a major abiotic stress limiting global tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production, necessitating the development of salt-tolerant genotypes for sustainable cultivation in saline environments. This study screened 101 tomato accessions under NaCl-induced salt stress (6 and 12 dS m⁻¹) at seedling and reproductive stages in controlled conditions. Morphological and physiological traits were assessed, and statistical analyses, including PCA, correlation, and cluster analysis, evaluated genotypic responses. Significant genotypic variability was observed under salt stress. At the seedling stage, CLN-2498-A, Picendento, and AUT-318 exhibited superior tolerance, maintaining higher root and shoot dry weights and improved K⁺/Na⁺ ratios. Under 12 dS m⁻¹, these genotypes showed minimal reductions in shoot (7.03–8.17 g) and root fresh weight (2.66–3.68 g) and maintained low Na⁺/K⁺ ratios (roots: 2.09–3.52; leaves: 1.6–3.2), indicating efficient ion regulation. At the reproductive stage, CLN-2498-A and AUT-318 exhibited minimal yield loss (0.78–1.02 kg/plant) and high truss numbers (7–10/plant), confirming stage-agnostic salinity tolerance. These findings identify CLN-2498-A and AUT-318 as promising genetic resources for breeding salt-tolerant tomato cultivars, offering valuable insights for improving tomato resilience in saline environments and contributing to global food security.
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